At least seven people lost their lives and numerous others are missing in the wake of a craft ferrying approximately 200 migrants seeking to enter the European continent sank in waters near The Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday close to Jinack village in the North Bank Region and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were traveling on the sunken boat that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants seeking entry into Europe.
Nearly forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Canary Islands in last year and estimates more than nine thousand individuals have died in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, the navy began a search-and-rescue operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that offered help, the defence ministry said.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven individuals who drowned were found, and ten of the survivors are said to be in critical condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is one of the routes utilized by asylum seekers seeking to get to Europe, frequently via hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the EU has reached agreements with a number of North African countries designed to limiting illegal migration.
